So, Saturday morning. I've just got back from a lovely, sun drenched Leeds after queuing an hour and a little bit for several records. Was it worth it? Yes.
Around seven years ago on a Saturday morning, as a naive, 13 year old boy I got the train into Leeds city centre on a mission; I was determined to go out and buy a copy of The Smiths album The Queen is Dead. I'd been fortunate enough to have heard Morrissey for the first time shortly before hand, and I was recommended to the album by a very cool drama teacher I had. Needless to say, after hearing this record, my life was never quite the same again. Cliche I know, but 100% true. From that day onwards, I learnt the true value of the record store- a place, where music wasn't rubbish, wasn't what everyone else at school listened to, and more importantly, wasn't Brittany Spears.
So, about seven years, and eight hundred CDs, records and singles later, I made the same trip that I did seven years ago, to buy the very same album on a limited edition 10" vinyl copy. Regardless of the fact I have the album on CD, my iPod, and two copies on vinyl, I went out to buy the life changing artifact once again. Why? Sentimental value? Perhaps. Increased sound quality? Well, it has been remastered, but probably not too much difference from the 2009 vinyl. Yes, all these reasons played a part, but more to the fact it was an opportunity to support a shop that I, and many others, are greatly indebted to. Jumbo Records is a store where I've discovered many great bands simply by browsing the shelves, such as The Replacements, The Long Blondes, and Pylon- so many acts that I've learnt to love through that store, and probably so many more I will find.
The people I was queuing with shared similar experiences, as we edged towards the front of the queue. Over 200 people were served, and thankfully I made the two purchases I went in for (picking up The Queen is Dead and the last copy of an R.E.M. Collapse Into Now Singles Boxset). It was so great to see so many people in a shop that can rarely be that busy, and to see the joy on peoples' faces as they successfully acquired the vinyl they most wanted. Obviously people did miss out on certain things, which must have been disappointing, but I'm sure most people found the whole thing enjoyable or slightly exciting.
Whatever will happen to record stores in an age of digital music is yet to be seen. However, today proved to me that music is more than just getting an MP3- it is the social aspect, the way that people interact and chat over music, and the pleasure in getting hold of the record, staring at the cover as you await to get it home and listen to it.
However you get your music, be it iTunes, HMV or Picadilly Records, I hope that on today of all days, you enjoy your music, and give a thought to the record store; a place where surely everyone has experienced that one, life changing moment.
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Thursday, 3 March 2011
The eNeME...
Well, I just so happened to stumble across the NME today on my travels to the library (or, the WH Smith in the train station as I believe it is called) and as ever, I wasn't surprised. Reading the album reviews I flicked forward see what the mag had to say about an eagerly anticipated release from one of my favourite bands, R.E.M (to whom I am indebted to for the name of this blog), and their new album Collapse Into Now. Having heard many of the tracks from their album through releases and authorised leaks, I can safely say that the tracks offer a diverse range of styles, while still sounding incredibly R.E.M.
After 30 years, it would seem blatantly obvious that a band would have a defined sound and style that sets them apart from the rest, and perhaps one who have been so successful at what they've done would stick within a formula that has proved a hit one. However, the NME appear to believe this not so. It does appear that their "journalists" slag off an album for sounding too much like a band's other previous work. Let me understand this. Does the NME want a jazz or hip hop record from Stipe and Co, or perhaps a chamber music arrangement? Constant lazy journalistic comparisons with Automatic For The People and Out of Time seem somewhat trite, because the irony of the album review which criticises an 'unoriginal' album is in fact a re-hash of every previous review of R.E.M. albums since 1992. It does appear they are far too busy writing reviews about "new up and coming bands" who are making "the hottest record in the world" in an attempt to create almost nightmarish, Zane Lowe ruled Indie world that is becoming less of a nightmare, and an unfortunate reality. I just feel that ultimately, a band shouldn't be criticised for sounding like themselves- it is a credit to an artist who manages to continue over such a course of time- it is bands who sound like other bands that is a problem. Why is it acceptable for a band to sound exactly the same as another band, a la the thousands of bland and generic bands like Frankie and The Heartstrings and the many other terrible bands to be proclaimed as the messiahs of music despite sounding identical to any other indie group, when a band who invents their own unique sound is pilloried for it? This isn't me defending a band whom I admire as I couldn't possibly pass judgement until I sit and hear the whole record, but I find this whole argument very tedious. Having said that, it is safe to say if the NME told me the sky was blue, I'd have to check as that is how much regard I hold it's opinions. It is too frequently trying to give 16-18 year olds a condensed, simpleton version of "100 albums to hear before you die" so that scenesters can purchase the correct clothing attire to seem "hip" it would appear.
I really do look forward to reading the NME's arse kissing review of the new Arctic Monkeys album as per usual, even though it won't be the original pseudo-jazz and soul hybrid the reviewers crave. It does seem bizarre to criticise unoriginality in an age where we are pretty much living in the age of the re-hash- nothing original has been produced since the seventies really if Adorno is to be believed, so make of this what you will. Having said all these, opinions are like arseholes, everyone has got one and most stink- it seems that the NME just happens to have one much bigger and smellier one than most other people.
After 30 years, it would seem blatantly obvious that a band would have a defined sound and style that sets them apart from the rest, and perhaps one who have been so successful at what they've done would stick within a formula that has proved a hit one. However, the NME appear to believe this not so. It does appear that their "journalists" slag off an album for sounding too much like a band's other previous work. Let me understand this. Does the NME want a jazz or hip hop record from Stipe and Co, or perhaps a chamber music arrangement? Constant lazy journalistic comparisons with Automatic For The People and Out of Time seem somewhat trite, because the irony of the album review which criticises an 'unoriginal' album is in fact a re-hash of every previous review of R.E.M. albums since 1992. It does appear they are far too busy writing reviews about "new up and coming bands" who are making "the hottest record in the world" in an attempt to create almost nightmarish, Zane Lowe ruled Indie world that is becoming less of a nightmare, and an unfortunate reality. I just feel that ultimately, a band shouldn't be criticised for sounding like themselves- it is a credit to an artist who manages to continue over such a course of time- it is bands who sound like other bands that is a problem. Why is it acceptable for a band to sound exactly the same as another band, a la the thousands of bland and generic bands like Frankie and The Heartstrings and the many other terrible bands to be proclaimed as the messiahs of music despite sounding identical to any other indie group, when a band who invents their own unique sound is pilloried for it? This isn't me defending a band whom I admire as I couldn't possibly pass judgement until I sit and hear the whole record, but I find this whole argument very tedious. Having said that, it is safe to say if the NME told me the sky was blue, I'd have to check as that is how much regard I hold it's opinions. It is too frequently trying to give 16-18 year olds a condensed, simpleton version of "100 albums to hear before you die" so that scenesters can purchase the correct clothing attire to seem "hip" it would appear.
I really do look forward to reading the NME's arse kissing review of the new Arctic Monkeys album as per usual, even though it won't be the original pseudo-jazz and soul hybrid the reviewers crave. It does seem bizarre to criticise unoriginality in an age where we are pretty much living in the age of the re-hash- nothing original has been produced since the seventies really if Adorno is to be believed, so make of this what you will. Having said all these, opinions are like arseholes, everyone has got one and most stink- it seems that the NME just happens to have one much bigger and smellier one than most other people.
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Enter stage left...
Well, my first post. First blog post on here anyway.
I realised most blogs are either journals of sorts of critical reviews. I realised, at this point, everyone is a critic. Literally. British people make excellent critics, and if it were an Olympic sport, the nation could certainly bring home the Gold medal. I do fear that if it was an Olympic sport and we did win, we would just complain that it was "too one sided" or it was "inevitable we'd win anyway" so it is probably for the best that criticising isn't an Olympic event.
So, why have I decided to try my hand at what should be our national sport? Boredom? Not really, lots to do at Uni and in life. I like the sound of my own voice? Possibly. Well, however I found my way here, I'll be posting here and there so hopefully, someone somewhere will find me mildly interesting. Even if it is a small Latvian orphan or something, if one person smiles, has their thoughts provoked or mind stimulated then I feel I may have done something worthwhile.
I'll presumably be discussing my favourite things, or the things I'd like to consider my forte in terms of knowledge, ie television, music, rugby league, books, day to day events and other social things that I find particularly interesting. I do find that mainly, the most interesting thing in life is just people in general, with their ways, mannerisms and quirks, so I shall keep you posted if anything particularly comical does come to mind.
I do hope that all sounds okay, and that it may be of some use to someone.
I realised most blogs are either journals of sorts of critical reviews. I realised, at this point, everyone is a critic. Literally. British people make excellent critics, and if it were an Olympic sport, the nation could certainly bring home the Gold medal. I do fear that if it was an Olympic sport and we did win, we would just complain that it was "too one sided" or it was "inevitable we'd win anyway" so it is probably for the best that criticising isn't an Olympic event.
So, why have I decided to try my hand at what should be our national sport? Boredom? Not really, lots to do at Uni and in life. I like the sound of my own voice? Possibly. Well, however I found my way here, I'll be posting here and there so hopefully, someone somewhere will find me mildly interesting. Even if it is a small Latvian orphan or something, if one person smiles, has their thoughts provoked or mind stimulated then I feel I may have done something worthwhile.
I'll presumably be discussing my favourite things, or the things I'd like to consider my forte in terms of knowledge, ie television, music, rugby league, books, day to day events and other social things that I find particularly interesting. I do find that mainly, the most interesting thing in life is just people in general, with their ways, mannerisms and quirks, so I shall keep you posted if anything particularly comical does come to mind.
I do hope that all sounds okay, and that it may be of some use to someone.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)